I found the show to be fantastic, only ruined by the horrible VIP acting.
2,145 Reviews
Great show, horrible VIPs
shanekoggg20 September 2021
Loved it, but...
minisaulol18 September 2021
My God the actors who potrayed the VIP people cannot act. I cringed everytime they said a line. It felt like they were just reading them. Even the intonation was off. It was like when we were kids and had to read a play in class and we exagerated the intonation. Terrible, just awful.
Yes, the VIPs sucked, but that didn't ruin the series
matthewjleming24 September 2021
Seriously. All things considered, they're a pretty small and self-contained part. The main characters were brilliant in their roles. I guess good actors figured that having parts where they're wearing masks the whole time wouldn't get them much exposure. The pacing and character development were superb.
Definitely one of the most well-made Netflix shows by Korea
jaeyeon_jung17 September 2021
Just watched whole 9 episodes and my favorite was the 6th, Gganbu. Not perfect nor a masterpiece, but this is very well made and provides a certain level of emotional experience. The overall show was far beyond things that were shown in trailer. Very well directed, performed, and finding its own unique points from the genre mixture of various references such as Gambling Apocalypse : Kaiji, Battle Royale, and so on. Just hope all others enjoy this show not only in Korea but also everywhere!
Ps. Even to Korean ears, VIPs' English conversations were not well written nor performed. I think the drama could stand well enough without their presence and save the budget.
Ps. Even to Korean ears, VIPs' English conversations were not well written nor performed. I think the drama could stand well enough without their presence and save the budget.
Entertaining!!
Rob133129 September 2022
Squid Game is a show that will stay in your mind long after you watched it. After reading all the great reviews and seeing it was one of the most watched series in the entire world I finally found time to watch Squid Game. I have to admit that I had fun watching it and was very entertained throughout the entire season. It's about hundreds of contestants (who are all down on their luck and need money) that are asked to play children's games for an shot at winning a lot of money, 45.6 billion won (about 33 million dollars). The only thing is these children games are now all deadly and the last contestant standing wins all the money. It will pull you into its world and before you know it you'll be hooked. It's a thriller with lots of twists and lots of violence. I know it's already been renewed for another seasons so I hope they can keep the same magic they had for season one.
Will hook you from the start!
Supermanfan-1313 September 2022
After hearing about all the hype and seeing it was one of the most watched series in the entire world I finally found time to watch Squid Game. I have to admit that I had fun watching it and was very entertained throughout the entire season. It's about hundreds of contestants (who are all down on their luck and need money) that are asked to play children's games for an shot at winning a lot of money, 45.6 billion won (about 33 million dollars). The only thing is these children games are now all deadly and the last contestant standing wins all the money. It will pull you into its world and before you know it you'll be hooked. It's a thriller with lots of twists and lots of violence. This is a show that will stay in your mind long after you watched it. I know it's already been renewed for another seasons so I hope they can keep the same magic they had for season one.
A realistic version of Alice in Borderland
Joa0_Bernard019 September 2021
For someone who has seen Alice in Borderland and loved it, I see this series as a more mature and rawer version, without fantasies. Criticism of the capitalism of today's society, ironic how it turned out, becoming everything it criticized.
Decent 8/10.
Decent 8/10.
Best description? Uncomfortably genius! And quite disturbing!
missessence7818 September 2021
Squid Game. Wow.
Korean.
Best description? Uncomfortably genius!
(Kind of disturbing - small warning but still)
I mean there are some elements of The Game and Hunger Games, but this is bigger, more catastrophic in a different way, more clever, plays on psychological aspects, with a touch of closeness between some participants. Its intensely catchy and totally insane.
Its set in a today's society with participants being people in economic trouble who owes a lot of money, mostly from gambling, and about their desperation. Great actors too!!
They even include a very dark business of todays world - but I wont reveal anything here.
Although its brutal - its more brutal in what's actually going on, and what's happening - than being graphically brutal.
And you will sit there and feel lots of things - scared and somewhat freaked out as well, and as I said: its Uncomfortably geniusly made in my opinion.
If you're looking for something different that will get your HR rising, try this one! *Handclaps*
Korean.
Best description? Uncomfortably genius!
(Kind of disturbing - small warning but still)
I mean there are some elements of The Game and Hunger Games, but this is bigger, more catastrophic in a different way, more clever, plays on psychological aspects, with a touch of closeness between some participants. Its intensely catchy and totally insane.
Its set in a today's society with participants being people in economic trouble who owes a lot of money, mostly from gambling, and about their desperation. Great actors too!!
They even include a very dark business of todays world - but I wont reveal anything here.
Although its brutal - its more brutal in what's actually going on, and what's happening - than being graphically brutal.
And you will sit there and feel lots of things - scared and somewhat freaked out as well, and as I said: its Uncomfortably geniusly made in my opinion.
If you're looking for something different that will get your HR rising, try this one! *Handclaps*
Plot-Driven, Action-Packed. Ultimately Shallow
danieljamiri20 September 2021
This is a gripping, bingeable series. Without a doubt. It is fast-paced and builds anticipation throughout.
But once the mystery fades, we see a pretty shallow set-up. Promising character development ultimately does not hold up, with some making seemingly inexplicable (but plot advancing) decisions. Other supporting characters have absolutely no-depth at all to the point of being gratingly inhuman. Other reviewers compare it to anime/cartoon. I agree.
In the end, there are enough open questions to support a second season but unfortunately not enough resolution in the first season to feel we really got the payoff we needed for putting up with all that violence.
But once the mystery fades, we see a pretty shallow set-up. Promising character development ultimately does not hold up, with some making seemingly inexplicable (but plot advancing) decisions. Other supporting characters have absolutely no-depth at all to the point of being gratingly inhuman. Other reviewers compare it to anime/cartoon. I agree.
In the end, there are enough open questions to support a second season but unfortunately not enough resolution in the first season to feel we really got the payoff we needed for putting up with all that violence.
Bingeworthy
stumpykerr20 September 2021
Parasite + Alice in Borderland
benimmyeo20 September 2021
One of the best K Netflix series I've seen in recent years. The plot, cinematography, and acting (with the exception of some masked caucasians in the end) was superb. Several A-list actors were in this show and the cameos by them were very well woven into the story. Looking forward to a season 2.
8
Edvis-19974 October 2021
Wow
WhoMadeYouGod1 October 2021
Honestly wow - from the first episode I sat wide mouthed, what am I watching and why - I didn't care.
This series is amazing, it's brutal, it made me cry - what a watch.
Suddenly you don't care about the subtitles, they pale into nothing, they don't matter - you find yourself watching this, reading effortlessly.
An amazing series, thank you!
This series is amazing, it's brutal, it made me cry - what a watch.
Suddenly you don't care about the subtitles, they pale into nothing, they don't matter - you find yourself watching this, reading effortlessly.
An amazing series, thank you!
Mixtape algorithm
shanayneigh25 September 2021
This show was like a mixtape of other (and better) shows. You can virtually see the Netflix algorithm in action: "The capitalism parable in Parasite won an Oscar, so let's go with that. And people responded really well to the colorful uniforms and weird masks in Casa de Papel, so let's give people a chance to dress up as our characters on Halloween which will give the show free PR. Oh, and Battle Royale was really successful and influential, so let's pretty much steal that whole concept right down to the classical music and cheery female speaker!"
The VIPs get a lot of flak for their acting in many reviews on IMDb, and rightly so. But let's be honest, the Korean actors are no better. This show is filled to the brim with bad Asian style overacting, something which is far too common in Korean and Japanese shows. The bad guy with the face tattoo is right out of some school play, and the guy in the lead is pulling faces like a madman. I have no idea who they are but I wouldn't be surprised if they originally are comedians. The best actor in the whole show is the main character's daughter and she's only in it for a couple of minutes.
As per usual for a Netflix production the story is stretched very thin in order to make it nine hours (!) long.
The VIPs get a lot of flak for their acting in many reviews on IMDb, and rightly so. But let's be honest, the Korean actors are no better. This show is filled to the brim with bad Asian style overacting, something which is far too common in Korean and Japanese shows. The bad guy with the face tattoo is right out of some school play, and the guy in the lead is pulling faces like a madman. I have no idea who they are but I wouldn't be surprised if they originally are comedians. The best actor in the whole show is the main character's daughter and she's only in it for a couple of minutes.
As per usual for a Netflix production the story is stretched very thin in order to make it nine hours (!) long.
I Really hope there's a second season and a third
ntrkpt20 September 2021
This show is the best versions of a genre which has been done before. It's just unbelievably aesthetic, gripping and full of suspense. Some episodes are funny and some are very heavy. The season ending is perfect and fulfilling.
Good
safatsadia29 September 2022
I saw Squid game. It felt good. But not as good as the whole world was saying. The two reasons for this popularity are the unique storyline and Korean involvement. Major flaws exist. Unnecessary showed bad quality sex scene. There was a forceful storyline. Could have shown more murders. English dubbing was very bad. But the Hindi dubbing was very good. Hindi dubbing was far better than perfect. The dual element of entertainment was suspense & production design.
Marvel's Loki is much better than this. But if you see it, you will not understand anything. Because to watch it, you have to watch the entire Infinity Saga (total 23 movies) first.
Marvel's Loki is much better than this. But if you see it, you will not understand anything. Because to watch it, you have to watch the entire Infinity Saga (total 23 movies) first.
INTERESTING and Got Me Hooked
xeffy17 September 2021
When I first saw the trailer, I knew I would watch this show in one day. It is a nice thriller drama that kept me hook throughout. The games that were played and the relationships between the characters is what got me into this show even more. Ending was somewhat predictable, but it was still a good show to watch. I do recommend for you to watch it.
-2 stars for the VIPs
tanzhiliang3 October 2021
Strong start, poor finish
daniel-6583630 September 2021
Very compelling opening episodes, but when the actual plot unravels it makes you go, "Oh, that's just it? That's kinda lame". Great acting still, amazing sets, overrides the glaring flaws of the series, an enjoyable watch overall. 7/10.
BINGE WORTHY
abelgomezjr18 September 2021
Was released today and I was hooked by the first 20 minutes. I finished it all the same day , if there was more seasons I would've been watching the next episodes as I'm typing this up right now. Very good series that will have you at the edge of your seat with many twists and turns. Once you think you know what's coming next , it hits you with a curveball. Highly recommended .
You can watch this in one day easily as I did & it was just released a couple hours ago haha .
You can watch this in one day easily as I did & it was just released a couple hours ago haha .
Overrated, But Good
jack_o_hasanov_imdb11 November 2021
This series is so overrated. But let's be fair, it's a very good series. I've watched a few movies about it. The script was good. Acting was sometimes exaggerated, maybe it's a cultural thing. I did not like the final part. Overall very well done. In the final episode, my expectation was different. But the final scene was disappointing. Season 2 will come, I hope it doesn't fall into "La Casa De Papel" status.
Cliché galore
ontheis17 October 2021
This is the proof people are still fans of predictable stories. If this is the 2021 most mainstream TV series, something is definitely off. Except for a few moments and interesting parts when they participate in the game, everything else is filled with already seen stuff. Main character's morality is selectable/clashing in different situations, ridiculous plot twists and most of all, acting and dialogue of "rich people watching" is major cringe. I would avoid this, except if you really want to see why is this so popular.
Great show!!
kyeo-5942023 September 2021
A Million Squid Says You Love It
krumblburgh17 September 2021
Squid Game is a brilliant metaphor for several things, but especially capitalism. 456 broken and bankrupt rats are set on a deadly race for a vast prize in an absurd and cartoonish version of hell. And who would willingly leave hell if there was even a chance, however outlandish, that staying might suddenly make them a billionaire? Very little of this series otherwise makes sense, and it makes an absolute meal of it.
There are similarities to shows like Battle Royale or Alice in Borderland, but Squid Game does a much better job of making characters believable and likeable. Even passing characters feel like actual people, so you care for the thirty seconds or so that you get to know them before they pass.
The design of the show is brilliant, the performances are all excellent. The danger feels real and the jokes are genuinely funny. I'm only on episode 2, but I love this show already. Personally, I like it better than Alice in Borderland.
EDIT: Just very quickly, a lot of reviews on here are mentioning the cringeworthy acting and dialogue of the VIPs. I agree, but I think there must be a reason for this. It seems unlikely that the same people who cast, wrote and directed all the other terrific performances suddenly lost the ability to cast, write for and direct non-Koreans. It seems more likely their relative cartoonishness had a specific meaning and purpose... even if we haven't figured out what it is, yet.
There are similarities to shows like Battle Royale or Alice in Borderland, but Squid Game does a much better job of making characters believable and likeable. Even passing characters feel like actual people, so you care for the thirty seconds or so that you get to know them before they pass.
The design of the show is brilliant, the performances are all excellent. The danger feels real and the jokes are genuinely funny. I'm only on episode 2, but I love this show already. Personally, I like it better than Alice in Borderland.
EDIT: Just very quickly, a lot of reviews on here are mentioning the cringeworthy acting and dialogue of the VIPs. I agree, but I think there must be a reason for this. It seems unlikely that the same people who cast, wrote and directed all the other terrific performances suddenly lost the ability to cast, write for and direct non-Koreans. It seems more likely their relative cartoonishness had a specific meaning and purpose... even if we haven't figured out what it is, yet.
A diamond in the rough from Korea.
andrewjking-7071020 September 2021
Korean Hunger Games with better acting and much more relatable themes. The plot allegory focuses on the rampant exploitation of poor and desperate people, with the initial invitation to play the game and everything that follows appealing to their need to clear debts. This soon becomes about something much bigger and darker. Not for the squeamish.
No spoilers, but I will say I'm a vehement anti-binger when it comes to my viewing habits. In the 10-odd hour runtime of this series, though, I stopped only to sleep and make a chicken wrap.
No spoilers, but I will say I'm a vehement anti-binger when it comes to my viewing habits. In the 10-odd hour runtime of this series, though, I stopped only to sleep and make a chicken wrap.
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